Method of upgrading a platform in a subscriber gateway device

ABSTRACT

A method of upgrading a platform in a subscriber gateway device involves remote management. The platform includes an operating system, a management agent, and a management information object. The management agent responds to remote management requests received by the subscriber gateway device. The management information object indicates a service interruption impact assessment of a subscriber gateway device as determined by a current status of the subscriber gateway device. According to the method, a request is sent to the management agent, and in response to the request, a value of the management information object is returned. Based upon the response, it is determined whether or not to initiate a platform upgrade for the subscriber gateway device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/739,472, filed on Nov. 23, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/791,803, filed on Apr. 13, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a subscriber gateway device including an embedded cable modem and an embedded set-top box. The invention further relates to a method of upgrading a platform in a subscriber gateway device, the platform including an operating system for allowing application software to execute on the subscriber gateway device.

2. Background Art

The modern hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network in its typical implementation includes fiber from the head end to the local network fiber node, and includes coax cable for the final signal distribution through a neighborhood. Modern two-way HFC infrastructures are capable of sending gigabytes of data per second to small pockets of homes in a narrowcast way.

Product and service offerings over broadband networks, including cable networks, have expanded in recent years. The cable networks are now used for additional products and services, for example, many cable networks now offer high speed data service in addition to video programming. In the modern HFC network, head end infrastructure may include a cable modem termination system (CMTS) for providing data over cable services in addition to video quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) infrastructure for providing video content. The video QAMs may connect to various content sources, while the CMTS connects subscribers to the provider network. The provider network may include a variety of infrastructure for providing various services. For example, the provider network may include Domain Name System (DNS) servers, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) servers, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) gateways and soft switches for connecting to phone networks, among other systems for providing services to subscribers. Further, advances in network technology allow some functionality to be provided from locations upstream or downstream of the traditional head end.

At a subscriber location, a cable modem and a customer premise equipment device such as a set-top box communicate with the head end over the HFC network. Traditionally, the cable modem utilizes known initializing and provisioning techniques to obtain a network address and establish a connection to the provider network. For example, the data-over-cable service interface specifications (DOCSIS) specify various protocols for managing the connection of a cable modem to a CMTS. In a traditional application, the cable modem can obtain an IP address in a known manner, and customer premise equipment connected to the HFC network through the cable modem may obtain an IP address, for example, by utilizing DHCP.

In an existing method of initializing the cable modem, the cable modem connection to the CMTS is initialized, the cable modem is provided with a network address, and the cable modem receives a cable modem configuration file from a network server. The configuration file contains service provisioning information. In order to configure services, the cable modem passes certain contents of the configuration file to the CMTS, and the CMTS passes certain identifiers back to the cable modem.

An existing subscriber gateway device for use at a subscriber location includes an embedded cable modem and an embedded set-top box connected to the cable modem. The subscriber gateway device includes hardware, and a firmware platform. The firmware platform includes an operating system, drivers, and an applications programming interface (API). The platform implements the cable modem and set-top box functions. Application software running on the subscriber gateway device may provide, for example, an electronic programming guide, a video-on-demand client, and a digital video recorder. When the subscriber gateway devices are distributed among subscriber locations, it sometimes becomes necessary to upgrade the firmware platform.

One existing approach to upgrading the firmware platform is to force the upgrade during cable modem initialization. However, in this approach, the firmware platform upgrade will only be received the next time the cable modem is initialized. In another approach to upgrading the firmware platform, the upgrade may be forced on or pushed to a subscriber gateway device. In this approach, the firmware platform upgrade may be triggered at the convenience of the service provider. When this approach is taken, the service provider may attempt to upgrade the firmware platform during the night or at some other time that it is expected that the subscriber is not presently demanding services. However, in the event that the subscriber is using services at the time the upgrade is forced, the forced upgrade will interrupt the active services. For these reasons, there is a need for an improved approach to upgrading a platform in a subscriber gateway device.

Modern switched network implementations, in some applications, do include a network management system. Existing network management techniques allow the managing of network elements to, for example, monitor and manage resources. For example, simple network management protocol (SNMP) is a common method used by network management applications to query a management agent with a supported management information base (MIB) object. A MIB object may represent a hardware or software component, and indicates some information about the component. Although network management systems are known, their use has been limited to certain applications involving the monitoring and managing of network resources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a method of upgrading a platform in a subscriber gateway device is provided. The subscriber gateway device connects to a provider network. A cable modem termination system (CMTS) is connected to the provider network. The subscriber gateway device includes an embedded cable modem connected to the CMTS, and includes an embedded set-top box connected to the cable modem. Upon connection of the cable modem to the CMTS, the cable modem is provided with a network address.

The platform includes an operating system for allowing application software to execute on the subscriber gateway device. The platform further includes a management agent and a management information object. The management agent responds to remote management requests received by the subscriber gateway device. The management information object indicates a service interruption impact assessment of the subscriber gateway device as determined by a current status of the subscriber gateway device.

According to the invention, a method of upgrading the platform in the subscriber gateway device comprises sending a request to the management agent from a remote location. In response to the request, a value is returned. The returned value is the value of the management information object. The management information object value indicates the service interruption impact assessment of the subscriber gateway device as determined by the current status of the subscriber gateway device. The method further comprises determining whether or not to initiate a platform upgrade for the subscriber gateway device based upon the response.

In this way, when determining whether or not to initiate a platform upgrade, the service interruption impact can be considered. That is, if the platform upgrade would have significant impact on current active services, the platform upgrade may be deferred until a later time. On the other hand, if the assessment indicates that there will be no impact on active services by performing the upgrade, the platform upgrade can proceed. Of course, in certain circumstances, depending on the reason for the platform upgrade, it may be desirable to initiate the platform upgrade even when the impact on active services is significant. According to the invention, service interruption impact is considered to allow an informed decision to be made as to whether or not to initiate the platform upgrade at the present time. That is, the invention provides an improved approach to upgrading the platform by utilizing network management techniques.

At the more detailed level, the service interruption impact assessment of the subscriber gateway device is determined by the current status of the subscriber gateway device. In the preferred embodiment, the assessment is selected from a group comprising: “significant impact” and “no impact.” Further, in the preferred embodiment, the assessment will be “significant impact” when: less than 2.5 hours have passed since a last infrared input to the subscriber gateway device, less than 2.5 hours have passed since a last tuner change for the subscriber gateway device, a video on demand session is in progress at the subscriber gateway device, a program is being recorded at the subscriber gateway device, a television connected to the subscriber gateway device is turned on (if detectable), or content is being passed out of the subscriber gateway device to a client device. Of course, these active services are exemplary, and other active services could cause the assessment to be “significant impact” as opposed to “no impact.” In a further example, the assessment will indicate significant impact when a software download is currently in progress. In another example, an application executing on the subscriber gateway device may cause the assessment to be “significant impact.”

When the platform upgrade is conducted, the preferred approach involves initiating the platform upgrade for the subscriber gateway device by sending a platform upgrade request to the management agent from a remote location to cause the subscriber gateway device to retrieve the platform upgrade from a network server. For example, a trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) server may serve platform images. Preferably, the platform is implemented as a monolithic platform image. The subscriber gateway device downloads the platform upgrade, and the new platform is written to non-volatile storage. The subscriber gateway device then reboots, and executes the upgraded platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a network diagram in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a subscriber gateway device, showing the hardware, firmware platform, and software applications;

FIG. 3 illustrates initializing, provisioning, and managing a cable modem and a customer premise equipment device in the preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates upgrading the platform in the subscriber gateway device in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, the hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network 10 provides service to a plurality of subscribers. Each subscriber has a subscriber gateway 12. The subscriber gateway 12 is in the form of a next-generation set-top box and includes an embedded cable modem 14 and an embedded set-top box 16. The head end equipment includes cable modem termination system (CMTS) 20 and a plurality of video quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) systems 22. Connector 18 illustrates the distribution of content from video QAMs 22 and data over cable from CMTS 20 over HFC network 10. In general, the HFC forward path spectrum includes a plurality of channels. Video QAMs 22 provide programming on the channels. Some channels are reserved for data over cable connections provided by CMTS 20. Video QAMs 22 receive content from any number of sources such as content sources 24.

It is appreciated that the architecture for the head end may vary. In FIG. 1, CMTS 20 connects to the provider Internet protocol (IP) network 30. Various services are provided to the subscribers; IP network 30 includes the appropriate infrastructure for the needed services. As shown, the network may include Domain Name System (DNS) server 32, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server 34, and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) gateway 36 and soft switch 38 for connecting to a telephone network 40. The various servers may be located at the head end, or may be located at other locations connected to the provider network 30. Also, illustrated is trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) server 64 which serves the configuration files and platform image upgrades.

With reference to FIG. 2, the subscriber gateway 12 is depicted in further detail, showing the hardware and software layers at 70. More specifically, subscriber gateway 12 includes hardware layer 76, platform layer 74, and applications layer 72. Hardware layer 76 includes all needed hardware to implement the embedded cable modem and set-top box. Platform layer 74 includes the operating system, drivers, and applications programming interface (API). Platform layer 74, or platform 74, is implemented in firmware. Platform 74 further includes a management agent in the form of a simple network management protocol (SNMP) agent and associated management information base (MIB) objects. The firmware platform 74 implements the cable modem and set-top box functions for use by the upper, applications layer. The applications may include, for example, an electronic programming guide (EPG), video on demand client, and digital video recorder. In FIG. 1, the SNMP agent is depicted at 50 and the cable modem MIB object is depicted at 52; a remote firmware management system is depicted at 54.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of initializing, provisioning, and managing a cable modem and a customer premise equipment device is illustrated. The customer premise equipment device is depicted as an embedded set-top box 16.

At block 80, the cable modem connection to the CMTS 20 is initialized. At block 82, the cable modem 14 is provided with a network address. In more detail, the cable modem 14 is initialized and provisioned using a suitable technique such as known DOCSIS techniques. At block 84, the cable modem 14 receives the cable modem configuration file, for example, from trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) server 64.

After the cable modem 14 receives the cable modem configuration file, services are configured at block 86. At this point, the cable modem 14 has completed initialization, and is a manageable network element in the operator's IP network. Generally, the initializing and provisioning may take place according to DOCSIS standards or any other suitable approach.

At block 88, the management agent 50 of the subscriber gateway device 12 receives a request from the remote firmware management system 54. The purpose of the request is to assess the service interruption impact of the subscriber gateway device 12. As shown at block 90, the MIB object value is returned in response to the request, indicating the service interruption impact assessment of the subscriber gateway device 12.

In accordance with the invention, it is determined whether or not to initiate a platform upgrade for the subscriber gateway device 12 based upon the response to the request. The service interruption impact assessment may indicate, for example, “significant impact” or “no impact.” That is, “significant impact” means that upgrading the firmware platform 74 at this time for the subscriber gateway device would have a significant impact on currently active services, and in particular, that currently active services would be interrupted by the forced reboot of the subscriber gateway device 12 required to complete the firmware upgrade. Depending on the situation, it may be desirable to hold off on the firmware platform upgrade so as to avoid interrupting the subscriber. On the other hand, in some situations, it may be desirable to force the upgrade anyway.

An advantage of embodiments of the invention is that it is possible to obtain a service interruption impact assessment of the subscriber gateway device 12 and then based on the assessment, determine whether or not to initiate a platform upgrade for the subscriber gateway device 12. In the past, a provider would resort to forcing upgrades at night or some other time where, hopefully, the subscriber would not be interrupted. By utilizing the management agent 50 and management information object 54, the invention provides a way to assess the service interruption impact, and then make an informed decision as to whether or not to upgrade the firmware platform 74 at this time, or defer the upgrade to a later time.

When the decision is to proceed with the upgrade, as best shown in FIG. 4, at block 100, a platform upgrade request is sent to the management agent 50. At block 102, the platform upgrade is received from a network server. As illustrated, TFTP server 64 provides the firmware image which is downloaded to the subscriber gateway device 12. At block 104, the subscriber gateway device 12 is rebooted to execute the upgraded platform which was stored in non-volatile memory after downloading.

At the more detailed level, the service interruption impact assessment of the subscriber gateway device 12 is determined by the current status of the subscriber gateway device 12. In the preferred embodiment, the assessment is selected from a group comprising: “significant impact” and “no impact.” Further, in the preferred embodiment, the assessment will be “significant impact” when: less than 2.5 hours have passed since a last infrared input to the subscriber gateway device 12, less than 2.5 hours have passed since a last tuner change for the subscriber gateway device 12, a video on demand session is in progress at the subscriber gateway device 12, a program is being recorded at the subscriber gateway device 12, a television connected to the subscriber gateway device 12 is turned on (if detectable), or content is being passed out of the subscriber gateway device 12 to a client device. Of course, these active services are exemplary, and other active services could cause the assessment to be “significant impact” as opposed to “no impact.” In a further example, the assessment will indicate significant impact when a software download is currently in progress. In another example, an application executing on the subscriber gateway device 12 may cause the assessment to be “significant impact.”

It is appreciated that embodiments of the invention may involve any suitable underlying initializing and provisioning technique. Further, the cable modem and CMTS may take a variety of forms and the type of cable plant is not limited to coax cable or HFC arrangements.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A method of upgrading a platform in a subscriber gateway device for connecting to a provider network, wherein a cable modem termination system is connected to the provider network, the subscriber gateway device including an embedded cable modem connected to the cable modem termination system and an embedded set-top box connected to the cable modem, wherein upon connection of the cable modem to the cable modem termination system, the cable modem is provided with a network address, the platform including an operating system for allowing application software to execute on the subscriber gateway device, the platform further including a management agent and a management information object, the management agent responding to remote management requests received by the subscriber gateway device, the management information object indicating a service interruption impact assessment of the subscriber gateway device as determined by a current status of the subscriber gateway device, the method comprising: sending a request to the management agent from a remote location; in response to the request, returning a value of the management information object, wherein the management information object value indicates the service interruption impact assessment of the subscriber gateway device as determined by the current status of the subscriber gateway device; and determining whether or not to initiate a platform upgrade for the subscriber gateway device based upon the response.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the service interruption impact assessment is selecting from a group comprising: significant impact, and no impact.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: initiating the platform upgrade for the subscriber gateway device when the management information object value indicates a service interruption impact assessment of no impact.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: deferring the initiation of the platform upgrade for the subscriber gateway device when the management information object value indicates a service interruption impact assessment of significant impact.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the management information object value indicates a service interruption impact assessment of significant impact when the current status of the subscriber gateway device indicates that less than 2.5 hours have passed since a last infrared input to the subscriber gateway device.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the management information object value indicates a service interruption impact assessment of significant impact when the current status of the subscriber gateway device indicates that less than 2.5 hours have passed since a last tuner change for the subscriber gateway device.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the management information object value indicates a service interruption impact assessment of significant impact when the current status of the subscriber gateway device indicates that a video on demand session is in progress at the subscriber gateway device.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the management information object value indicates a service interruption impact assessment of significant impact when the current status of the subscriber gateway device indicates that a program is being recorded at the subscriber gateway device.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the management information object value indicates a service interruption impact assessment of significant impact when the current status of the subscriber gateway device indicates that a television connected to the subscriber gateway device is turned on.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the management information object value indicates a service interruption impact assessment of significant impact when the current status of the subscriber gateway device indicates that content is being passed out of the subscriber gateway device to a client device.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the management information object value indicates a service interruption impact assessment of significant impact when the current status of the subscriber gateway device indicates that a software download is currently in progress.
 12. The method of claim 1 further comprising: initiating the platform upgrade for the subscriber gateway device, wherein the platform is implemented as a monolithic platform image.
 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising: initiating the platform upgrade for the subscriber gateway device by sending a platform upgrade request to the management agent from a remote location to cause the subscriber gateway device to retrieve the platform upgrade from a network server.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: rebooting the subscriber gateway device to execute the upgraded platform.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the management information object value indicates a service interruption impact assessment of significant impact when the current status of the subscriber gateway device indicates that an application is executing on the subscriber gateway device. 